On the modeling of nanocontacts

Abstract

This paper deals with the derivation of the nonlocal field equations for nanocontact mechanics. The nonlocal theory is very appropriate to describe long-range interactions among the particles in the material. To exemplify this approach, the problem of the nonlocal elastic contact for an elastic layer loaded by a rigid indenter is studied here. Classical and nonlocal solutions are compared. The nonlocal stress field is finite for all points of the contact domain, and has a maximum that does not occur at the boundary of the contact domain.